The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, November 2,1994 _ mK MARTECH ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS LIMITED THE POWER BEHIND THE PROJECT PROUD PARTICIPANT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW R.C.M.P. BUILDING 1700 Woodiand Drive Box 3403, Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3N8 Castlegar 365-2115 Nelson 352-5422 Fax 365-2102 That was then . Confined to a shoebox operation Inadequate, inappropriate, inactive, inadmissible. Four words that described the Castlegat and District RCMP sta- tion, and the functions it served for the 16 RCMP members, seveh auxiliaries (volunteer officers), 10 part-time guards and matrons, and three office clerks who work there. “This is likely the worst build- ing in the whole Kootenays, pos- sibly the whole province,” said RCMP Staff Sergeant Doug Hall, when interviewed in September, 1992, just prior to the referen- dum. “It’s been far from adequate and is no longer conducive to an RCMP office The building was constructed in 1957 to serve the needs of a detachment of four. It also con- tained small living quarters for the residing sergeant and his fam- bathroom. In 1957, the four RCMP members served a popula- tion of 1,600. At the time, female TROWELEX CONTRACTORS LTD. We are pleased to have been the general contractor on the new Castlegar R.C.M.P. Building | ettaeete EXCAVATION ¢ Loader ¢ Dump Truck ¢ Topsoil ¢ Sand & Gravel ¢ Site Excavation e Rock Excavation e Tunnel Work ¢ Demolition of Buildings © Subdivision Development e Water & Sewer Work SPECIALTY WORKS ¢ Concrete Specialists © Epoxy Injection Systems e Special Applications © Colour Concrete © Grouting NEED SPACE? Trowelex will build to suit the Tenant in the Industrial Park Open 365 days a year e Laser Beams ¢ Transits & Levels ¢ Bobcats ¢ Manilifts ¢ Air Compressors e Welders ¢ Dump Trucks e Loaders e Excavators e Cranes BRIGGS & STRATTON ¢ Parts Depot ¢ Engine Sale & Service e Anti-freeze ¢ Cash & Carry A HONDA FOR ALL SEASONS. With so many models of power equipment, you can have a Honda for all seasons. For optimum performance and safety, please sead the owner's manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment. Connection of generator to house power requires 2 transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consul a qualified electrician Special savings on all in-stock Hondas Available now at Trowelex ¢ BOBCAT ™~ Rent or Purchase THE ICHOIGE Available now at Trowelex TROWELEX CONTRACTING, RENTALS, SALES & SERVICE Phone 365-3315 4450 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar (Industrial Park) Fax 365-3318 ‘This Is likely the worst buliding In the whole Kootenays, possibly the whole province.’ — STAFF SERGEANT DOUG HALL During an prior to RCMP members were unheard of, and accessibility needs for the Perhaps the best example of the building's bad state was the jai . In 1957, two were never Growth and mounting police needs required the living quarters be renovated into further office spaces fifteen years ago. Since The result? Cramped spaces for office workers, a filing sys- tem that required the use of an outside garage, jails that were no longer conducive to meet the needs of the system, and a gener- ally di h for pris- oners who display mental deterioration or aggression, must remain separate from all of these. But on October 17, 1992, the residents of Castlegar were given the chance to change the sur- of the RCMP members RCMP "members who had little mon procedures. “The regular offices, with their Paper-thin bajo lack the proper and staff through referendum. Which they did by voting in favor of borrowing $1.7 million. City councillors Jim Chapman and Kirk Duff promoted the ref- erendum vote as much as possi- ble—and they had to. The last time a referendum was held in the city, a mere 22 per cent of the p ised their a standard interviewing room would have,” Halll said. Space for files has also been compromised. Because RCMP information on cases may be held for 12 years or more, a build-up can occur quickly. At the Castle- gar RCMP d h » that right to vote. The referendum was surrounding another need, paving the streets of Castlegar. It was defeated by a close margin. But both Duff and Chapman believed that the people of Castlegar, who expect efficient would vote to means making use of a detached garage, which by the way, also contains the evidence recovered in arrests, such as cars, bikes, stereos, alcohol or drugs. PLEASED TO HAVE DONE i THE ROOFING AND SHEETMETAL WORK FOR THE R.C. NIELSEN ROOFING & SHEET METAL ROOFING - SHEET METAL - CLADDING SPRECIALISTS ng services, provide their police force with accommodations. “We can't say to the RCMP, do a good job, but here's a little shoe- box to operate out of,” said Duff. Wednesday, November 2, 1994 The Castlegar Sun This IS now . a AS SUN STAFF PHOTO / Karen Kerkhottt it may not be home, but the new Castlegar RCMP building is the next best thing for members and support staff. RCMP building ‘sleek, modern' Castlegar’s newest and most modern accommodation isn't the kind of place most people would want to call for reservations. After all, the local RCMP build- ing, although cozy, isn"t home. But to RCMP members and support staff who work there, it's the next best thing. Everyone knows the validity of “the right tool for the right job”. But what happens when year after year you have to “make do” with inferior facilities? Local RCMP know that feeling. Castle- gar RCMP Corporal Al Hudema reminisced about the “old” facili- ty located near the Pioneer Arena on Columbia Avenue. “We don't have to work in a place where we have to look at M.P. BUILDING. #5 - 1555 Fairview Rd., Penticton, B.C. V2A 6P6 CONGRATULATIONS 4370 Minto Rd., Cast Thanks for choosing us for your floor coverings 40 years of being banged up.” With its bright surroundings, and walls free from “battle scars”, the new building boasts many amenities all designed with today’s policing in mind. Upon first approaching the ‘building you can't help but notice the sleek and modern exterior, but behind that pretty face lies an interior heart of steel (and glass and cement) . ‘When entering the facility it’s hard to tell just how massive it traly is—auntil someone lets you through the locked door guarding the heart of the building. Greeted by a bright and wide open space it’s hard to not be in awe of the newness and sheer expanse. Housing evidence and inter- view rooms, an exercise room for officers and staff who realize how it it is to stay in shape, a full kitchen, four cells able to accommodate a total of cight prisoners, and the drunk tank, more commonly known in RCMP lingo as the “honeymoon Suite” the building is unquestion- ably state-of-the-art There are other amenities as well: a designated stationery room (for holding reams of paper supplies); storage facilities; a des- ignated area for the Victim's Assistant Coordinator, a secure rc We were pleased to be part ) e construction of the Castlegar R.C.M.P. Building. GARRETT CONCRETE PUMPING Box 189, Genelle, B.C. VOG 1GO 693-2442 : legar « 365-2265 h ance George Steel 1 Led. UPPLIED FORC N 315 Ongman Rd., Prince George, British Columbia V2N 238 Mf Phone: 604-562-5025 Fax: 604-562-5082 Exceptional dining in old world elegance admidst the cozy country decor & soft lighting for your comfort and convenience. 2629 Broadwater Rd., Robson Across the bridge to Robson 365-0181 Good Luck and Best Wishes JSrom Deb, Ron & Staff at The Lions Head Dining Room Congratulations! on the opening of the NEW R.C.M.P. BUILDING in Castlegar from WEST KOOTENAY MECHANICS We're installe conditionin systems. pleased to have d the heating, air g & mechanical 8131 Old Waneta, Trail, B.C. Trail, B.C Ph: 364-1541 bay; a contenu room; wer fe for pris- it's great and in keeping with oners and staff; a visitor's area; and a records room area. In Hudema’s words the whole facili- ty is “as cozy as you can get”. There is another benefit Hude- ma pointed out—the proximity of the building to the court house, city hall and downtown. “From the community aspect ‘c ity policing’. We can walk downtown and chat with residents and business owners.” But the most important aspect of the facility is the change in attitude that bright, clean and modem facilities always seem to bring forth. “There's a definite change in morale,” concluded Hudema. Oo GIPMisra, COLEMAN EXCAVATING LTD. Proud to be a part of Castlegar's growing success 3400 - 4th Avenue Castlegar 365-5013 OVER 20 YEARS SERVICE Congratulations on your new loggtion & building. We ae please to have done ee BL CHANG'S NURSERY & FLORIST LTD. 2601-9th Ave., Castlegar, B.C. 365-7312 Proud to have worked with Trowlex on the NEW R.C.M.P. BUILDING. GERRY'S BACKHOE SERVICE 1046 Vine, Robson, B.C. 365-7137 Proud to have supplied & installed the garage doors & operators to the new Castlegar RCMP Station. Castlegar resident door mechanic: 365-8001 Toll Free: 1-800-661-5122 or (604) 426-4448 Séoolenay OVERHEAD DOOR SERVICES Congratulations on the completion of the R.C.M.P. building We're proud to have supplied your many building needs. MITCHELL SUPPLY LTD. 490 - 13th Ave., Castlegar, B.C. 365-7252 Serving the entire Kootenay since 1980. J. CONGRATULATIONS! Pleased to have supplied glass for windows and doors RUTLAND GLASS LTD. 355 Gray Road, Kelowna, B.C, 765-9400 CONGRATULATIONS | to Castlegar on the official opening of your new R.C.M.P. Building from Selkirk Paving Ltd. pleased to have been your paving contractor 359-7281 Box 22, Cresent Valley Proud to be the readymix & concrete | block suppliers for the RCMP project CEMENT PRODUCTS CO. LTD. 368-8266 154 Wellington St., Trail, B.C. 365-2633 4000 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. _A Dee Cee RCSL MAS